Abstract [en]

A goal in conservation is that cultural heritage should be for everyone and therefore should be experienced by everyone. With ramps, lifts, Braille exhibitions, sign language interpreted tours, tours for the visually impaired, etc., adaptions are made for people with physical disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to highlight how the Nordic Museum works to reach people with neuropsychiatric disorders along with the specific needs and disabilities which may need to be met by the museum. The case study will aim to highlight problems and opportunities in pedagogy of exhibitions focused on neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover, it provides an indication of how the works with these issues at the museums are implemented, etc., which can create a greater awareness for the various professions in museums and conservations. This has been examined by the means of interviews, with the unions that advocate groups of neuropsychiatric disorders, and observations of selected exhibitions and shows, museum space, some audioguide-tours and part of the museum's website. In addition, other interviews are made with a museum educator with experience in the subject and a museum educator and head of the department of hosts and shops from the Nordic Museum. The materials which are used are mainly written public reports, as for example the Nordic museum Annual 2015. The museum caterers mostly focus on physical disability. They have also focused on reading disabilities and dementia, in addition to the physical functional limitations. The museum does its best and have a desire to improve themselves, which is shown at their website. The educational tools and approaches, etc. is well thought through, but the focus here is primarily on children and not adults. Something that may be because they have more impressions for children than for adults, if one example is taken. Some of the unions advocate “design for all” and more focus on a different view from the society, as well as personal attitudes to face persons with neuropsychiatric disabilities. They believe this will also affect the museum's education in general. Also, the use of different types of media and interactions in the exhibitions, as well as peace in the museum hall will make an impact in the pedagogy of the museum. The conclusions are that it probably always will be development potential in the pedagogy of the museum. The Nordic Museum has come a long way in the use of several media, but the design could in some cases be fine-tuned. Awareness of neuropsychiatric disorders could also be developed, both in society and in museums.